​10 Simple Cleaning Hacks Every Car Owner Should Know

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Keep your car spotless with these 10 cleaning hacks. These simple hacks can be done with everyday items from your house.

Are you a car owner who takes pride in keeping his or her car in pristine condition? If you are, we've put together 10 hacks to take your car cleaning to the next level. Easily executable, these useful hacks will help you keep your car looking and smelling fresh.

Check them out below:

1. A Toothbrush Can Come in Handy

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Would you believe us if we said a toothbrush can be a handy cleaning tool? Besides using it for scrubbing, you can also use it to remove dirt and debris that’s stuck in the creases of your car seats. Use a fine-bristled brush for the best result. You can also use a toothbrush to remove stubborn stains on your non-leather seats. A mixture of water and dish soap should get the job done.

2. Use Olive Oil to Condition the Leather in Your Car

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Olive oil can be a great substitute if you’re looking to condition the leather in your car without any chemicals. Using a cloth or paper towel, give your dashboard and leather seats a wipe with some olive oil after they have been thoroughly cleaned. Remember not to use too much, and to allow the oil to seep into the leather before touching the surface.

3. Clean Windshield Wipers with Alcohol to Prevent Smudging

Are your wipers leaving smudge marks on your windshield even after cleaning? If they are, take some rubbing alcohol and give them a good wipe. It should get rid of all the grease and grim that has accumulated on the wiper blades.

4. Get Headlights to Shine with Toothpaste

The next time you’re brushing your teeth, remember to save some toothpaste for your car. Similar to whitening your teeth, toothpaste can actually help brighten your headlights. Just apply some toothpaste on a cloth and clean your headlights thoroughly. Repeat as needed until your headlights shine bright.

5. Keep Your Cup Holders Clean with Cupcake Liners

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Cup holders can be a pain to clean, especially if you’re prone to spillage. To ease the job of cleaning them in the future, you should place cupcake liners in them. Any liquid or food particles will be collected in them and you can simply throw them away when dirty. Easy as pie!

6. Use a Makeup or Foam Brush to Clean Air-Con Vents

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To prevent mould and dust from accumulating in your air-con vents, you should clean them at least once a month. If you’re having difficulty cleaning them out, use a foam or makeup brush to remove dust from hard-to-reach spaces. If you’re worried about sweeping the dust into your car, you can use a portable vacuum cleaner to suck the dust up as you brush it away.

7. Use a Razor Blade to Remove Stickers or Decal from Windows

Is your sticker or decal fading? If it is, use a razor blade to remove them. Hold the blade carefully at an 45-degree angle and gently slide it under the sticker. Slowly lift the sticker until you’re able to peel it off completely. If adhesive is left on your windows, you can use nail polish remover to get rid of it.

8. Deodorize Your Car with Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has many uses outside the kitchen. Using it as a deodorizer is one of them. To get rid of odours from your seats and carpet, simply sprinkle some baking soda onto them. Wait for half and hour (you can clean the rest of your car first) and vacuum up the baking soda. It should have absorbed any foul-smelling odours. You can also use baking soda as a cleaning agent to remove stains. Mix it with some warm water or vinegar and apply it to the stain. Scrub with a brush (if needed) and wash it off with water.

9. Keep a Packet of Cleaning Wipes in Your Car for Messy Emergencies

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Only costing a few dollars, a packet of cleaning wipes is something that all drivers should keep in their glove box. A messy situation can arise at anytime and knowing that you’re prepare for it can give you a peace of mind. Be sure to get cleaning wipes that are safe to use on windows and leather.

10. Erase Stubborn Stains with a Magic Eraser

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If you have a child, you’ll find this hack especially useful. Buy yourself a magic eraser (melamine foam) to remove crayon, marker ink and grease in your car. You can use it on plastic, leather, and vinyl surfaces. Just remember to be gentle to avoid leaving scratch marks.

Do you have any other cleaning hacks that you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more: The Complete Guide to DIY Car Washing